36 CFR Part 1195 Proposed Accessibility Standards for Medical Diagnostic Equipment NPRM
Chapter M1: Application and Administration
M101.1 Purpose.
The standards contain technical criteria for medical diagnostic equipment that is accessible to and usable by patients with disabilities. The standards provide for independent access to and use of diagnostic equipment by patients with disabilities to the maximum extent possible.
M101.2 Application.
The standards shall be applied to diagnostic equipment based on the patient positions that the equipment is designed to support. Where diagnostic equipment is designed to support more than one patient position, the standards for each patient position supported shall be applied to the equipment.
Advisory M101.2 Application. The following examples illustrate how the standards apply to diagnostic equipment designed to support more than one patient position:
• An examination chair converts to an examination table. The technical criteria in M302 for diagnostic equipment used by patients in a seated position; and in M301 for diagnostic equipment used by patients in a supine, prone, or side-lying position apply.
• A weight scale can be used by patients seated in a wheelchair, or seated on a built-in folding seat, or standing and holding onto supports. The technical criteria in M303 for diagnostic equipment used by patients seated in a wheelchair; in M302 for diagnostic equipment used by patients in a seated position; and in M304 for diagnostic equipment used by patients in a standing position apply.
M101.3 Equivalent Facilitation.
The use of alternative designs or technologies that result in substantially equivalent or greater accessibility and usability than specified in the standards is permitted.
M101.4 Dimensions.
The standards are based on adult dimensions and anthropometrics. Dimensions that are not stated as "maximum" or "minimum" are absolute.
M101.5 Dimensional Tolerances.
Dimensions are subject to conventional industry tolerances for manufacturing processes, material properties, and field conditions
M102.1 Defined Terms.
For the purpose of the standards, the following terms have the indicated meaning:
Enforcing Authority.
An agency that adopts the standards as mandatory requirements for entities subject to its jurisdiction.
Medical Diagnostic Equipment (Diagnostic Equipment).
Equipment used in or in conjunction with medical settings by health care providers for diagnostic purposes.
Operable Parts.
A component of diagnostic equipment that is used by the patient to activate, deactivate, or adjust the equipment.
Transfer Surface.
Part of diagnostic equipment onto which patients who use mobility devices or aids transfer when moving onto and off of the equipment.
M102.2 Undefined Terms.
The meaning of terms not defined in M102.1 or in regulations or policies issued by an enforcing authority shall be defined by collegiate dictionaries in the sense that the context implies.
M102.3 Interchangeability.
Words, terms, and phrases used in the singular include the plural and those used in the plural include the singular.
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